Veteran environmental activist and Niger Delta elder stateswoman Ann-Kio Briggs has rebuked Nigerian youths and the political leaders, accusing both of playing part in the country’s democratic decay. Speaking during a Democracy Day youth engagement forum in Abuja, Briggs said young Nigerians have been robbed of their future — and many of them willingly assisted in the betrayal.
“You have been cheated. But you have also cooperated with those who cheated you,” she declared, drawing loud reactions from the crowd.
Briggs, who is known for her fearless activism on Niger Delta and environmental justice, said she attended the event at her own expense because of her deep concern for the future of the country and the youths.
She described the current state of Nigeria as tragic, noting that even decades after independence, tribalism, injustice, and poor governance remain entrenched.
“I stopped singing the new national anthem because the line ‘though tongue and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand’ is a lie,” she said. “We are not standing in brotherhood. We are too divided.”
She also took a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly failing to issue a statement on Democracy Day, despite his historic role in the pro-democracy struggles of the 1990s.
“For someone who was in NADECO, to go silent on a day like this is disappointing,” she said. “He should explain to Nigerians how what he once fought for has now failed.”
Briggs criticized government interventions in the Niger Delta, especially the Ogoni Clean-up, warning that they have become mere political tools rather than sincere efforts to reverse environmental destruction.
“The UNEP report said it would take 30 years to clean Ogoni. That was nearly 20 years ago. What have they done?” she asked. “Don’t let the Ogoni clean-up become another NDDC or Ministry of Niger Delta — projects that don’t benefit the region directly.”
Turning her attention back to the youths, she expressed dismay at how easily many are bought during elections.
“You collect ₦2,000 t-shirts and vote for people whose children school abroad and wear designer slippers. Now they are grooming their own children to take over. So after serving the fathers, are you ready to serve their sons too?” she asked.
Briggs urged young people to recognize their power in determining the country’s future.
“The real change won’t come from the Senate or the House of Reps. It will come from you. If you don’t act, Nigeria will remain the same — just so their children can take over where their fathers stopped.”
She ended with a heartfelt message, saying her passion for change is driven by her children — and by extension, all Nigerian youth.
“I have children who are youths. I want a better future for them — and that means a better Nigeria for you too.”
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Niger Delta elder Ann-Kio Briggs blasts Nigeria’s youth and leaders on Democracy Day, saying young people have been cheated — and have helped make it happen. Calls for political awakening.
Tags: Ann-Kio Briggs, Democracy Day 2025, Niger Delta, Ogoni Cleanup, Nigerian Youths, Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, Political Change, Environmental Justice
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